ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

Indie

RPG

Single-player

Steam Achievements

Adjustable Text Size

Camera Comfort

Color Alternatives

#category_contrast_controls

Custom Volume Controls

Keyboard Only Option

Mouse Only Option

#category_playable_at_your_own_pace

Playable without Timed Input

DualShock Controller Support

DualSense Controller Support

Save Anytime

Stereo Sound

Subtitle Options

Partial Controller Support

Steam Cloud

Remote Play on Phone

Remote Play on Tablet

Family Sharing

ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies

Indie

RPG

Single-player

Steam Achievements

Adjustable Text Size

Camera Comfort

Color Alternatives

#category_contrast_controls

Custom Volume Controls

Keyboard Only Option

Mouse Only Option

#category_playable_at_your_own_pace

Playable without Timed Input

DualShock Controller Support

DualSense Controller Support

Save Anytime

Stereo Sound

Subtitle Options

Partial Controller Support

Steam Cloud

Remote Play on Phone

Remote Play on Tablet

Family Sharing

From the creators of Disco Elysium comes ZERO PARADES – an espionage RPG. You're a brilliant but tormented operant on one final desperate assignment. Gather your broken network, untangle a web of lies, and prove yourself on the world stage - or blow it all up again.

Developers: ZA/UM

Publishers: ZA/UM

Release Date: May 21, 2026

Price (USD): $39.99

Current Players: 88

Links: Steam Store SteamDB

Very Positive(81%)

compelling narrative

immersive art

engaging mechanics

rich themes

writing complexity

pressure meters

spy setting

technical issues

voice acting problems

punishing mechanics

gameplay bugs

The narrative and world-building are significantly praised, offering a compelling espionage story that captures the essence of its themes well. However, technical issues, including voice acting problems and bugs, weaken the experience for some players. The writing and gameplay mechanics are divisive, with their complexity either enhancing immersion or overwhelming it. Despite this, the game stands as a solid follow-up to its spiritual predecessor, albeit with its own unique challenges and critiques stemming from its development history.

Positive Points

Zero Parades is praised for its compelling narrative and deep storytelling, which engages players with its complex plot and themes.

The game features beautiful and immersive art design, with visual flair that captures players' eyes, much like Disco Elysium.

Many players found the gameplay mechanics, such as the Conditioning system and the skill checks with a pressure meter, to be interesting and engaging.

The game has a strong thematic focus on espionage, politics, and societal critiques, providing a rich world for players to explore.

Negative Points

Technical issues are commonly reported, including missing or misaligned voice acting and dialogue discrepancies.

The voice acting, particularly by the narrator, has received criticism for being off-putting and inconsistent in quality.

Some players found the game's mechanics punishing, particularly the permanent skill loss due to maxing out pressure meters.

There are reports of bugs affecting gameplay, such as crashes and save-related issues, detracting from the overall experience.

Mixed Points

The dialogue and tone are perceived as both a strength and a weakness; while some players appreciate the dense, philosophical writing, others find it overly verbose or lacking the wit of Disco Elysium.

While mechanics like the Anxiety, Fatigue, and Delirium system add depth, not all players appreciate the added complexity or punishment for failure.

Common Themes

Many reviews discuss the game's inevitable comparison to Disco Elysium due to similar styles and mechanics.

The intrigue of the spy setting and political narrative is a frequently mentioned aspect that adds a fresh angle to the Disco Elysium-like gameplay.

The controversy surrounding ZA/UM's corporate history with Disco Elysium's original team is a prevalent topic, affecting some players' perceptions of the game.

Updated 5/26/2026, 12:02:00 AM UTC

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